GUWAHATI, April 30: Panic has gripped grass root members of the ruling Asom Gana Parishad in the wake of continuous attack on the AGP workers by the militants of banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in different parts of the State in the last seven days.

The en masse resignation of the party members in Nalbari district, especially in Barama constituency, has become a matter of grave concern for the AGP leadership since it will certainly hamper the poll prospect of the party. There have been reports from Bongaigaon, Barpeta and some rural areas of Kamrup district that the ULFA cadre were threatening AGP members to quit the party.

However, AGP general secretary Kartik Hazarika told The Sentinel that despite the attacks and threat on AGP members, morale of the party workers was very high. "We are contesting the elections with all our vigour and we will definitely win", Hazarika said.

In Guwahati, most of the election booths of the AGP which were opened for the election wore a deserted look today.

However, the main offices of the AGP's three Guwahati constituencies -- East, West and Dispur located at Silpukhuri, Bharalumukh area and Six Mile respectively, remained busy as usual, though there was panic among the workers. "If we remain inactive for the ULFA threat, how can we ask people to vote for us," said a senior functionary of the AGP's city committee on condition of anonymity. Adequate police security is being provided in these three offices. It may be mentioned here that at least five AGP workers were killed in different incidents of Nalbari and Kamrup districts including one in the city following ULFA's attack. AGP's Barpeta candidate Dipak Das and six of his accomplices were injured in another attack yesterday.

The head office at Ambari here of the AGP also witnessed heavy deployment of paramilitary personnel and plain-clothed Assam police commandos. One metal detector has been placed in the entry point of the office. All visitors also have been frisked by the commandos.

GUWAHATI, April 30: Independent candidates have always played a significant role in making or breaking the prospects of other aspiring candidates nominated by established political parties even though they themselves have failed to win substantial number of seats in the Assam Assembly elections in the past. The fact that, while the Congress could secure 41.49 per cent of the total valid votes polled, the independent candidates could get as high as 25.22 per cent of the votes in the past 10 Assam Assembly elections. The AGP could get 29.27 per cent of the votes in the last three Assembly elections. But the independents could win hardly 8/12 per cent of the seats in all these elections.

A review of the performance of the independent candidates in the past 10 Assembly elections reveals that while the Congress could secure 44 per cent of the votes in 1952, the independents could get 27 per cent of the votes. In 1957 however, the Congress got 52 per cent while the independents got 18 per cent. In 1962, the Congress got 48 per cent, the independents 22 per cent, in 1967 the Congress got 44 per cent and the independents got as high as 32 per cent, in 1972 the Congress raised its percentage again to 53 while the independents could also maintain their fare share of the votes securing 30 per cent. In all these elections, all other candidates could secure hardly 4 to 12 per cent of the votes.

In the 1978 elections, the Janata Party was elected to power on the crest of the "Janata wave" securing not-so-impressive percentage of 27.56 but even here the independents could secure 25.62 per cent of the votes. The Congress could get 23.69 per cent of the votes. In the bloody 1983 elections, the Congress could get 52.53 per cent of the votes and the independents 29 per cent. In the 1985 elections, the AGP won the elections on the "AGP wave" securing 34.54 per cent of the votes, while the Congress got 23.47 per cent of the votes. But the independents could get 29 per cent of the votes in that election also. In the 1991 elections, the Congress could get 29 per cent of the votes, while the combined score for the split-up AGP and NAGP was 23 per cent. But the independents could get 21 per cent of the votes all right. In the 1996 elections, the Congress could get 31 per cent, AGP 29.70 per cent and the independents 17 per cent -- the lowest since 1952.

On the contrary, the number of independents winning the elections has always been much less than their percentage of the votes share. In 1972, out of 257 independent candidates, only 10 could win. In 1978, out of 485, only 15 could win, in 1983, out of 254, only 10 could win, in 1985, out of 650, only 10 could win, in 1991, out of 867, only 15 independents could win while in 1996, out of 645, only nine could win the elections.

NELLIE, April 29: If Sirajjul Khan dreads something, it is the possibility of the AGP-BJP alliance winning the May 10 elections.

One of the few survivors of the carnage at Nellie in 1983, Sirajjul makes no bones about his dislike for the BJP. And now that the ruling AGP has aligned with the saffron party, he has absolutely no doubt that the minorities in the state are in for a hard time.

"One party has destroyed a mosque, while the other cannot be relied on. The AGP did not do anything for us during its five-year term in Dispur," he says.

Sirajjul, a small-time contractor, says he cannot comprehend how the AGP and the BJP came together after lambasting each other over the years.

While Sirajjul is candid, the majority of Nellie's minorities is reluctant to speak out against the AGP-BJP combine. But the signs of anxiety on their faces give them away.

Khurshid Islam, a pharmacist, puckers his eyebrows at the mere mention of the AGP-BJP alliance. But he stops short of voicing his opinion on the two parties' promise to protect the interests of the minorities. "Better not talk about it," he says. Other minority residents of this township react to questions on the AGP-BJP alliance in much the same manner.

Nellie is not an Assembly seat, just one of the blocks comprising Jagiroad constituency. However, it invariably influences the voting pattern of the minorities in the entire constituency. Bubul Das of the AGP won the seat in the last elections, defeating the Congress candidate. But Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's party is unlikely to have it easy this time round.

Alima Begum, a teacher at the Nellie Lower Primary School, says the Congress probably has an advantage over the other parties. But she hastens to add that the minorities do not have faith in it.

"The Congress seems to have the edge, but it does not mean that the minorities consider it their true friend," she says.

Those directly affected by the 1983 massacre are the ones who harbour hatred for the political set-up as a whole. Samina Khatun, who lost two siblings in the carnage, does not consider any political party worthy of being elected to power.

"The less said about our politicians, the better. But I still feel exercising one's franchise is important," she says.

Minority leader Mohammed Khaleque feels people of his community will vote en masse for the Congress. "With the honeymoon between the minorities and the AGP long over, a large section of the minorities has already joined the Congress," he says.

However, one cannot discount the possibility of the tribals in the area nullifying the Congress' advantage.

Nazimul Hussain, another resident of Nellie, says not a single party can afford to be complacent in Jagiroad constituency. "Political equations changed in the wake of the AGP joining hands with the BJP. It is well-nigh impossible to predict the outcome of the elections," he adds.

GUWAHATI, April 29: It's official now. State Congress president Tarun Gogoi will be the party's Chief Ministerial candidate if the party is in a position to form the next government in the State after the May 10 polls. The announcement to this effect was made by the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Kamal Nath during a news conference here this afternoon. Gogoi, currently an MP, was also present during the announcement. "Under the leadership of Tarun Gogoi, the Congress will give a government to Assam which will make the future of the youths of Assam secure", Nath said. The party is "extremely confident" of forming the next government in the State. "The Congress will get more than two-thirds majority. Congress may also hit the three figure mark," the AICC leader stated.

Claiming that the contest in the ensuing elections will not be merely between political parties, Nath said that the contest will be between corruption and communalism represented by the AGP-BJP combine and the youth and development of Assam represented by the Congress. Clearly addressing the youth of the State, Nath said during the term of the outgoing AGP-led Government, the youths of Assam have got a raw deal. "The AGP Government's five-year rule reflects a saga of corruption where everything had a price-tag. It was a price-tag government." he stated

Similarly, while asserting that there was no question of the party allying with anybody. After the polls, Nath said that the only support that his party would seek was that of the youths. Lambasting the AGP-BJP alliance, Nath said that the BJP had allied with the AGP merely to consolidate its position while the AGP had embraced the BJP to secure itself against "exposure and indictment". The people of the State have seen through their game and will give a fitting reply, he claimed. Gogoi, speaking at the press meet, said that AGP Chief Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had joined hands with the BJP purely for personal interests. He said that the AGP-BJP tie-up was aimed at preventing an alternative government from assuming power here. "The people of Assam will not allow this," he stated, going on to claim that the Congress was the only party that could provide a better government. Nath also announced that Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi would arrive in Assam tomorrow for a one-day visit during which she will address rallies at Tinsukia, Jorhat, Diphu and Tezpur. She will come again on May 7, he said.

NALBARI, April 29 : The militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have posed a serious threat to the leaders and cadres of the ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Nalbari district and parts of Kamrup district, and at least five AGP men had been killed since the day of issuance of the election notification. The threat posed by the ULFA adversely affected electioneering of the AGP in Nalbari and parts of Kamrup, and several parts, the AGP workers are not even in a position to move freely. According to information available, a number of AGP workers have resigned from the party in the Barama Assembly constituency in Nalbari district following the killing of two partymen on the night of April 27. AGP sources said that the grassroots-level leaders and workers of the party have been receiving threats from the ULFA since the election process got underway. Education Minister Thaneswar Boro, who is the AGP candidates from the Rangiya Assembly constituency told this correspondent that a number of AGP men in his constituency received threats. "I have stopped picking up the phone at night," he added.

The Agriculture Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, who is also the general secretary of the AGP, admitted that a number of party workers received threats from the ULFA. He alleged that the Congress was instigating the ULFA to launch an attack on the AGP. However, he hoped that the ULFA threat would not affect the poll prospects of the AGP candidates.

The AGP candidate from the Nalbari Assembly constituency, Smt Alaka Sarma also admitted that there were some problems due to the threat perception. "Till date I have not faced any problem but I think that we would have to change our strategy and go for low-profile campaigning," she said. The threat posed by the ULFA and its impact in the minds of the AGP workers were quite evident in Nalbari district as the workers in the district committee office of the party were openly discussing the problem faced by them.

The Nalbari Deputy Commissioner, B K Chakraborty, said that Nalbari is a very sensitive district as it is close to Bhutan, where the militants have their main camps. Moreover, as the deputy commander-in-chief of the ULFA, Raju Baruah, and several other senior leaders of the outfit hail from Nalbari, the ULFA wants to maintain its hold over the district, he added.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Nalbari Deputy Commissioner said that adequate security cover has been provided to the prime targets of the ULFA including Chandra Mohan Patowary, Alaka Sarma, Rekha Rani Das Boro and others. He pointed out that ULFA men have not been able to strike at their prime targets and have resorted to attacking the lower level cadres of the AGP. "However, we are now working on a strategy to ensure safety of the lower level cadres of the AGP," he added. Sri Chakraborty said that Nalbari district has enough force and a detailed security plan had been worked out to ensure free and fair polls. The sensitive polling stations have been identified and the security forces would be deployed accordingly. He said though it is not possible to completely seal the border with Bhutan, the deployment of forces in the border areas has been increased to check movement of militants.

Sir,

Though I am an advocate of democracy as the best form of government for a country like ours for obvious reason, I do feel the necessity to explain what really ails a democracy and its consequential effects upon its people. Democracy which is the government of the people, by the people and for the people has got four legs to enable it to carry its heavy weight and can well be compared with four legs of a four-footed animal to demonstrate its strength, vitality, effectiveness and vibrancy. The comprehensive power of such an animal is vitally weakened, if any of its legs is ailing for any reason. Similarly, the democratic system of the government with its four legs viz (i) executive (ii) legislative (iii) judiciary and (iv) electoral system has these vital organs under the Constitution of our country to bear its heavy weight and for functioning in an effective way for the benefit of the people. These four legs of democracy have got their own domains and each of these legs (pillars) is supposed to work independently, without being subservient, through a perfect coordination as defined in the Constitution. It must be emphasised once again that weakening of any of these legs of democracy or when it becomes subservient to any other leg, it must be presumed that the democracy is ailing which if not treated to regain its momentum once again, may lead to dangerous consequence.

In the above context, if we analyse the prevailing situation of our democracy we must conclude that ours is an ailing democracy and gradually it is losing its effectiveness and strength to deliver the goods and fulfil the aspirations of the people. There is lack of coordination between the four legs of democracy and subserviency has set in the system of its functioning. Democracy gains its vitality and strength from people's confidence and nothing short of it can make it healthy. One must remember that the biggest enemy of democracy is corruption and this leads to loss of vitality in the shape of public confidence. Once public confidence is gone, democracy, is bound to remain a hollow shell and nothing else to be of any good use.

A further analysis will show that the executive has become the first victim of illness of our democracy. People are losing faith in the executive because it has been plagued with corruption at various levels. In consequence, people do not have full faith in executive orders today in every field and even it does not have strength and boldness to stoutly define its domain. In this state of utter frustration, people (including the executive) are running towards judiciary for relief for many things which should have normally remained within the domain of the executive. The judiciary has its own domain but it had to extend its domain due to unwanted references made by the executive in the shape of judicial commission on Ram Janambhumi or Tehelka issue etc. Further, due to loss of confidence in the executive on many matters people are feeling that judiciary is their ultimate saviour. This has created judicial activism which is not at all a good augury for democracy. Each leg of democracy must function independently within its domain. It is evident that there is no coordination between the legislative wing and the Election Commission. While the Election Commission under the able leadership of Dr M S Gill is doing its job admirably, it does not have the law making powers to control menaces of money and muscle power, along with criminalisation of politics and other evils of the electoral process, because it rests with the legislative wing of the government, which is not moving fast. The result is that the Election Commission is unable to control these menaces in the electoral system to the great disappointment of the people and consequent loss of faith in the electoral system itself.

It has, therefore, become absolutely pertinent for the people, politicians and the government to realise the gravity of the situation and to take effective steps through the development of a value based political culture in order to save our ailing democracy from probable collapse.

GUWAHATI, April 29: While two suspected ULFA militants were killed AGP candidate from Barpeta LAC Kumar Dipak Das and seven others were injured in an attack by the outfit near Guwakasa village in Barpeta district at around 8 p.m. tonight.

Sources said that a group of suspected ULFA militants lobbed a hand grenade at the convoy of Kumar Dipak Das when he was returning after addressing a poll rally in Guwakasa.

Mr Das was seriously injured and has been admitted to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital. Mr Das' PSO, who was also injured in the attack, retaliated the attack and shot dead two ultras on the spot, sources quoting Barpeta Additional Deputy Commissioner said.

The deceased were yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, an AGP worker Mr Raju Chetri, who had been seriously injured in yesterday's blast at an AGP election office in the city, succumbed to his injuries today, police said.

The condition of two others - Rubul Handique and Gopal Das - was stated to be critical, the police said.

Twelve AGP workers had been injured in the blast by ULFA militants.

Mentionably, the ULFA militants have targeted top AGP leaders to disrupt the May 10 Assembly polls, the sources said quoting reports.

The militants had gunned down two AGP workers at Barama in Nalbari district from point-blank range on Friday night.

GUWAHATI, April 28: While all the political parties of the State are shouting from rooftops to give 33 per cent reservation to women candidates in the legislative bodies, in practice they are allotting only the minimum number of seats to the fair sex to contest the May 10 Assembly elections.

The ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) which fielded 75 candidates on its own after having an alliance with the BJP and others, has given party tickets to just four women candidates -- all sitting MLAs. The Minister of Welfare for Plain Tribes and Backward Classes -- Rekha Rani Das Boro (Barama), Dr Alaka Desai Sarma (Nalbari), Deputy Speaker Renupoma Rajkhowa (Teok) and Sushila Hazarika (Dergaon). AGP's total percentage of women candidates is just 5.33.

The Congress party, which fielded candidates in all the 126 constituencies of the State, has given tickets to 15 women candidates. Apart from four sitting MLAs -- Dr Hemaprova Saikia (Nazira), Amiya Gogoi (Duliajan), Pranati Phukan (Naharkatia) and Rupam Kurmi (Mariani), the party has given tickets to several widows of former Congress leaders. The percentage of women candidates of the Congress for the coming election is 11.9, highest among any of the parties of the State.

The BJP, which entered into an alliance with the AGP, has fielded candidates in 46 Assembly constituencies, of which just one is a woman. The lone BJP woman candidate is Rina Sinha, who is contesting from Lakhipur constituency. This constitutes a mere 2.17 per cent of the candidates fielded -- lowest of all the parties. The CPI(M) which has fielded 22 candidates has given a ticket to just one woman candidate. She is Bandona Gogoi from Bihpuria constituency. The percentage of CPI(M) for woman candidates is just 4.54.

The CPI, which fielded 19 candidates in the election, has nominated just one woman candidate -- Chitralata Phukan from Amguri constituency. The percentage is 5.26.

GUWAHATI, April 28: Miscreants hell bent on disrupting the poll process breached the much vaunted security bandobast around the capital complex at Dispur, lobbing a grenade on a make-shift poll office of the AGP injuring at least seven persons, four of them seriously, at around 8 this evening. The incident occurred close on the heels of killing of two AGP workers by suspected ULFA militants at Kharua village under Barama police station of Nalbari district last night. Police sources informed that at least 12 persons were sitting inside the AGP poll office near Dispur Last Gate when the grenade exploded inside it. Four of the occupants were seriously injured and were rushed to nearby Down Town Hospital immediately. At least three others escaped with minor injuries.

Top police officials of the city rushed to the spot and the area was cordoned off. Police did not rule out the hand of the banned ULFA which it believed was trying to create panic just before the polls. Officials at the incident site said they were anticipating more such strikes by the militants in the run up to the election. The explosion left a small crater on the floor of the make-shift AGP poll office. The traffic flow in the area was stopped immediately after the blast while the AGP president, Prafulla Kumar Manata rushed to visit injured party workers at the hospital. Three of the seriously injured AGP workers were identified as Ranjan Chakraborty, Pankaj Rajkhowa and Ujjal Tai. All of them were from Dispur area. Shopkeepers nearby told this reporter that they had heard a blast resembling the sound of a bursting tyre while they were carrying on their business.

Our Nalbari Correspondent adds: Fear psychosis has gripped the AGP workers here following the killing of two Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) supporters, including the vice-president of the Kalzar Anchalik unit of AGP, at Kharuah village under Barama police station last night. The slain AGP workers were identified as Bipin Barman (45) and Golak Das (30) of Kharuah village. Bipin Barman was the vice-president of the unit while Golak Das was a primary member of the party.

Police sources said here that a group of armed militants entered the house of Barman at 10 pm and picked him up at gun-point. Later, the militants picked up Das when he was returning home after attending a wedding ceremony. The bullet riddled bodies of the two AGP supporters were later found near a wooden bridge of the village. Several marks of injuries on the bodies indicated that the militants severely tortured them before the two persons were shot dead. The post-mortem of the two bodies were carried out at Nalbari civil hospital morgue this morning.

Mentionably Barman was a close associate of Social Welfare Minister Rekha Rani Das Boro and was campaigning in her favour. Most of the AGP supporters of this constituency have reportedly received threatenings from the ULFA. The killing of these two grassroots level workers of AGP has definitely affected the poll campaign of AGP in the district. The additional DGP, GM Srivastav today toured the Nalbari district and reviewed the present law and order situation here. Most of the local AGP leaders have quit the party while several of the party workers have stayed away from participating in poll activities in the insurgency ridden areas.

Sources informed that the Social Welfare Minister Rekha Rani Das Boro and the Agriculture Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, figure in the ULFA hit list. In Barama LAC ULFA men have become pro-active and threatened the AGP workers of dire consequences if they take part in the poll activities. Meanwhile, the office bearers of Namati, Kadamtal and Madhpur anchalik committees of AGP have resigned from the party and dissolved the committees. There are also reports that most of the AGP workers have left their residences following the ULFA threat. Although Rekha Rani Das Boro opened several poll offices in different places of Barama LAC, the attendance of workers there are very thin. It is learnt that the main reason why the ULFA is threatening the AGP workers in Barama LAC is because Boro allegedly remained silent when the secret killers gunned down the family members of ULFA's publicity secretary Mithinga Daimari.

The electoral culture of the Indian polity has degenerated to such an extent that apart from the violence that is unleashed right from the time of filing nomination papers to the day of polling, there is no let-up in the canards slung at each other even during the campaigning and in the release of the manifestos of different political parties. Political parties are far more obsessed today with detailing what their rivals currently in power did or did not do while releasing their election manifestos. And that apart, the deleterious tendency to blame rival political parties for anything that happens to a party in the fray is getting to be sickeningly commonplace. It is as though the period of campaigning is a season for unsubstantiated canards and accusations of rival political parties.

The run-up to the Assembly elections in Assam is a clear pointer to this unhealthy tendency. On Tuesday, the ULFA gunned down two active members of the AGP in two different parts of the State when they were out campaigning for the party. While this was most unfortunate, the AGP president and the Chief Minister of Assam lost no time in claiming that the Congress was hand in glove with the ULFA and that it had given tickets to candidates who had once advocated the cause of the ULFA, thereby clearly implying that the Congress had a hand in the killings. This was an allegation made without the benefit of any proof, since Mr Mahanta also said that his Government was still gathering information about the ULFA's designs and chalking out an appropriate strategy to frustrate the outfit's designs. But canards apart, has his own party done any less in the matter of nominating candidates who had earlier advocated the cause of the ULFA?

GUWAHATI, April 27: Altogether 63 candidates have remained in fray for the forthcoming Assembly election for eight Assembly constituencies under Guwahati electoral district as four candidates have withdrawn their names yesterday, the penultimate day of withdrawal of candidate, stated an official press release.

The candidates withdrawn their names are Pabitra Kumar Das (Ind) form Palesbari, Phani Sarma (Ind) from Gauhati East, Manas Sarania (UBNLF) and Prasanna Malla Buzarbarua (Ind) from Gauhati West.

The allotment of symbols to the candidates were held yesterday at the chamber of respective Returning Officer while Mr D N Saikia, Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer for Boko, Dispur and Gauhati East were made at the Conference Hall of DC's office. Mr B A Coutinho, general observer and Mr D D Ingty Expenditure observer were also present at the time of allotment of symbols.

The total number of candidates remaining in the fray are 63. The constituency-wise candidates finally remaining after the penultimate date of withdrawal are:

Boko LAC: 1. Gopinath Das (INC), 2. Jyoti Prasad Das AGP, 3. Tikendra Das NCP, 4. Ms Arna Das (Samajbadi Party), 5. Siba Kakati (Muslim League) Kerala State Committee, 6. Dr Karuna Kanta Medhi (Ind) and 7. Bishnu Ram Sarkar (Ind).

Chaygaon LAC: 1. Dr Kamala Kalita AGP and 2. Rana Goswami INC.

Palasbari LAC: 1. Dinesh Choudhury BJP, 2. Jatin Mali AGP, 3. Jadab Chandra Kumar INC, 4. Balen Kalita (Loka Janasakti) and 5. Pranab Kalita (Ind).

Jalukbari LAC: 1. Purna Boro (CPI), 2. Bhrigu Kumar Phukan (NCP), 3. Ramendra Nath Deka (BJP), 4. Hemanta Biswa Sharma (INC), 5. Anil Sarma (SJP- Rashtriya), 6. Alok Sen (Samata Party), 7, Umesh Chandra Das (Samajbadi Party), 8. Puspa Deka (Loka Janasakti), 9. Bijoy Krishna Ghosh (UMF), 10. Atma Ram Deka (Ind) and 11. Dilip Kumar Mahajan (Ind).

Dispur LAC: 1. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (AGP), 2. Rabin Bordoloi (INC), 3. Chitta Ranjan Patowary (Trinamool Congress), 4. Jethua Kachari (RSI), 5. Bankim Choudhury SJP (Rashtriya), 6. Manjuli Dev (Lok Jana Sakti), 7. Atul Bora (TGP), 8. Sukai Shah (Ind), 9. Jitul Gogoi (Ind), 10 Nazir Hussain (Ind), 11. Dr Phukan Boro (Ind) and 12. Maneswar Kathar (Ind).

Guwahati East LAC: 1. Upen Talukdar (CPI), 2. Pankaj Bora (INC), 3. Biraj Kumar Sarma (AGP), 4. Biseswar Deka (NCP), 5. Chitta Ranjan Patowary (Trinamool Congress), 6. Nathuni Das (SJP- Rashtriya), 7. Ramdhar Lall (UMF), 8. Atma Choudhury (Ind), 9. Tarini Kalita (Ind), 10. Ms Bharati Baruah (Ind) , 11. Bhupen Boro (Ind) and 12. Bupen Sarma (Ind).

Guwahati West LAC: 1. Jayanta Boro (NCP), 2. Manoj Ram Phukan (BJP), 3. Ramendra Narayan Kalita (AGP), 4. Hemanta Talukdar (INC), 5. Ajit Kumar Paul (Trinamool Congress), 6. Sanil Teron (Ind) and 7. Hareswar Boro (Ind).

GUWAHATI, April 27: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance is confident of sweeping the next Assembly election in the State with a popular mandate favouring more than two-third majority of the alliance in the State Assembly. Addressing a joint press conference at the State headquarters of the AGP here this afternoon, AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and BJP State president Rajen Gohain described the alliance as a 'historic' one and claimed that the people of the State have welcomed the new alliance in a big way. This alliance has also in it the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC-U) as partners and in the coming days it will be able to play an important role in matters of restoration of peace in the State, Sri Mahanta and Sri Gohain said. It is worth recalling here that Sri Gohain was initially hesitant to accept the AGP-BJP alliance and reportedly described the AGP as a sinking boat.

Both Sri Mahanta and Sri Gohain blamed the Congress for all the problems facing the State alleging that the discriminatory attitude of the Congress during its over four decade rule, reduced Assam into a backward State despite the State having a rich reserve of natural resources. Moreover, it is the Congress which caused rifts among the people of the State, hatched plots even to stir up communal clashes in the State and aided and abetted the influx of foreigners, they alleged. Claiming that the call of the hour is to save Assam from the misrule of the Congress, Sri Mahanta and Sri Gohain said emphatically that the AGP-BJP would work hand in hand in the coming days to save Assam from the problems like the influx of foreigners and called upon the people to vote the alliance to power so that it could work for restoration of peace, unity and prosperity and for instilling a sense of security among the people of the State.

However, when asked whether the alliance has prepared a common minimum programme, Sri Gohain said that such a programme was being chalked out by the alliance shortly. When asked whether the alliance will work for the repeal of the IM(DT) Act, Sri Gohain's reply was evasive. The alliance if voted to power will issue identity cards to the Indian citizens, he said, adding that once the process of issuing such cards is completed there will be a permanent solution to the problem of influx of foreigners and the IM(DT) Act will not remain an obstacle in resolving the problem. Sri Mahanta also expressed the hope that the identity cards to the genuine citizens would help solving the problem of foreigners' influx.

Sir,

In politics strange things happen. The people of Assam valley voted the AGP to power in 1985 with much hope and expectations to build a golden Assam. But corruption and misrule of the party disillusioned the people. The AGP formed the government again for a second term with the help of the leftist parties. Now we find that the AGP has volte-face and made poll alliance with the BJP.

In India, the BJP is popular only in the Hindi belt and Gujarat. The educated voters always dislike the BJP for its communal ideology and for its hand in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The BJP party president has been exposed totally in the Tehelka tapes.

In Assam, a section of immature politicians wilfully indulge in communal sentiments for their temporary political gains. The poor people of religious minority who had come to Assam from the East Bengal about 60 years ago, for economic reason, have been used as pawn in the political chess-board of Assam. Without these people who grow our food and constitute about 25% of our population, Assam cannot prosper rapidly and peacefully. Hence, we should think only in terms of secular ideology for the future benefit of ourselves.

If we once sow the seeds of communal virus in this fertile eastern part of India populated by divergent communities, our future generations will have to reap the bitter fruits of it for a long time to come.

GUWAHATI, April 27: Security has been beefed up at all vital installations and minority-dominated areas in Kamrup district in apprehension of militant attacks and communal clashes in the run-up to the May 10 elections.

City superintendent of police G.P. Singh today said 97 polling stations in Guwahati subdivision have been identified as "hyper-sensitive", 219 as "sensitive" and 303 as "safe".

He said the subdivision had been divided into 16 zones, each under the jurisdiction of a deputy superintendent of police. "We have identified 85 vulnerable areas and set up fixed pickets there. An officer, a constable and a homeguard will be deployed in each polling station in these areas," Singh added.

The SP said the security forces currently at the disposal of the district administration were inadequate. "We need more forces to conduct the elections smoothly. Some more companies of the Border Security Force will be arriving soon. Seventeen companies, including eight central paramilitary units, are in the district at present," he added.

Singh said security had been provided to both candidates and leaders working for various parties at the grassroots-level.

Kamrup superintendent of police L. Bishnoi said 230 polling stations in the district had been categorised as "hyper-sensitive", 326 as "sensitive" and 424 as "safe".

He said "extra precautions" were being taken in the district in view of the threat from militant outfits.

According to police records, 59 militants of the National Democratic Front of Boroland and 23 of the Ulfa are still active in the district.

Kamrup district has a 11,28,337-strong electorate and 1,265 polling stations. Dispur constituency has the highest number of voters (2,15.074).

The polling station with the highest number of voters (1,539) in its register is in Guwahati West constituency, while one in Palasbari constituency has the lowest (146).

Dispur and Guwahati (East) share the record for the highest number of candidates (12), while only two candidates are in the fray in Chaygaon constituency.

Four centres have been designated for distribution of polling materials, Kamrup deputy commissioner D.N.Saikia said. There will be two counting centres, he added.

Saikia said horses and elephants would be used to ferry officials and materials to four polling stations in Guwahati subdivision due to the dismal condition of roads leading to these areas.

GUWAHATI, April 26: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has hatched a plan to target several prominent Ministers during the poll process, highly placed police sources said. Sources revealed that the Chief Minister, Sri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and his wife Jayashree Goswami Mahanta, MP have been identified as the prime targets by the militant outfit as the ULFA leadership is of the view that they suffered serious setbacks because of the tough stand taken against them by the Chief Minister. The other Ministers likely to be targeted by the ULFA include the Agriculture Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Revenue Minister Zoii Nath Sarma, Municipal Administration Minister Biraj Sarma, Minister of State for Tourism Jagadish Bhuyan and Minister of State for Veterinary Hiranya Konwar. The State police has already beefed up the security of the Ministers likely to be targeted by the militant outfit, sources added.

It may be mentioned here that Biraj Kumar Sarma, Hiranya Konwar and Zoii Nath Sarma had survived ULFA attacks during the last two general elections. Meanwhile, the three main underground groups -- ULFA, NDFB and UDPS have joined hands to disrupt the coming election. The miliant groups, operating from different hideouts are regrouping to create violence in certain areas in which they have strong base. Highly-placed official sources disclosed that the leadership of the outfits have already instructed the lower cadres to "show their full strength" during the election. Sources further revealed that a 40-member group of the banned ULFA had already sneaked into the State from Bhutan to disrupt the polls.

"The militants are now scattered in various places of lower Assam to create violence," sources added. In this context they revealed that the three extremist groups have reached an agreement and they are likely to strike in Karbi Anglong, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kokrajhar and Darrang districts. "The modus operandi of the outfits is just to create panic among the voters so that they refrain from casting their votes, sources said, adding that according to reports, the 28th battalion of the ULFA situated in bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh is likely to foment trouble in some parts of Upper Assam areas. Giving the rationale behind the spurt in activities of militant groups, sources informed that they have still a good number of sympathisers throughout the State and taking advantage of the situation, militants have started killings.

Sir,

It is a common practice now-a-days among our politicians to promise a lot of things before every election and forget those easily and safely as soon as the hustings are over. Whatever may be the reason -- be it financial, political or a lack of will and understanding of the real problems, the developmental efforts are always relegated to the background. Thus the common problems of drinking water, health, hygiene and sanitation, infrastructure and other basic amenities are being neglected and sidelined year after year.

We understand that there are constraints in converting words into deeds. But the current state of affairs clearly indicates that the main constraint in implementing various developmental programmes is the lack of serious will-power and understanding on the past of our political leaders. In Assam, the roads and bridges are in a very deplorable condition. There is practically no road in many rural areas of the State. Our leaders have no time to look into these local problems as they prefer to be concerned very much with their own well-being. The leaders are generally oblivious of those promises they usually make before every election.

Therefore, it is high time that we demand immediate attention to our social and economic problems. We should put pressure on the political leaders or groups whenever they come to seek votes, as they are not "accessible" once they return to power. The candidates may be asked to prove their genuine interest and to formulate some concrete measures in matters of, say, repairing a road, or improving water supply or health and sanitation facility and so on. We have to devise certain positive framework whereby we can make them work even after their returning to power and fulfil the agenda on a priority basis. If there is no concrete effort willingness on the part of the candidate or elected representative he or she should be disqualified by the people for all the years to come.

In the present context of socio-economic backwardness and growing indifference of our leaders to these basic problems, we have to collectively take the initiative to make them work. The promises devoid of any sense of social obligation can not move us forward. They must show their willingness to solve these basic problems through works not through words. It is high time for us to evolve some positive methods to make them accountable and responsible for the basic development process.

GUWAHATI, April 26: Peace for development is the focus of the election manifesto of Asom Gana Parishad. The manifesto which was released by the party president, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, here this morning, pledges to carry on its efforts to bring back peace to the insurgency ravaged State if the party is voted to power in the forthcoming polls. The regional party poll manifesto identifies insurgency as the major impediment in the path of development and reiterates its commitment to provide security to lives and property of common people in the State. The AGP also highlights that the party does not believe that the use of Army is the only solution to the problem of insurgency notwithstanding the incumbent AGP government's policy of banking on the armed forces to root out militancy in the State.

Regarding the burning problem of infiltration which is threatening to alter the demography in the State, the regional party poll manifesto highlights the need to solve the problem without causing harassment to genuine Indian citizens living in the State. It promises to mount pressure on the Centre to solve the problem for good by plugging all loopholes thereby preventing any illegal foreign national from settling down in the State. However, the AGP manifesto does not make any reference to the party's stand vis-a-vis the controversial IMDT Act although the party earlier advocated for repeal of the Act which it felt was putting up hurdle in detection and deportation of illegal migrants. The AGP promises effective measures to develop the char areas of the State in all sectors including health, agriculture, education, communication etc., in an attempt to make inroads into the Congress bastion among the minority voters from char areas.

To woo about 60 lakhs tea tribes voters in the State, the AGP, in its poll manifesto, promises to take up special programme for welfare of the tea tribe community. The regional party whose present government miserably failed to enforce revision of tea wages as per recommendations of the expert committee, promises to solve the problem of tea wages and other facilities to tea workers. The AGP notwithstanding its failure to hold panchayat polls during its present five-year rule, promises to provide constitutional safeguards to the panchayati raj system in the State in the spirit of decentralisation of power to the grassroots level for expediting the development process. The AGP reiterates its stand for decentralisation of more power to the State and adoption of the federal structure of government in the country. It also raised demand for self determination to the State to make the State Government self-sufficient as far as development is concerned.

GUWAHATI, April 26: Taking a stand at variance with its decision to keep panchayat elections on hold for no less than five years, the Asom Gana Parishad has promised to decentralise power to the extent of allowing it to percolate down to the "lowest" level.

"To fulfil the wishes of the father of the nation and ensure a development-oriented society, the state's powers will be decentralised and distributed at the lowest level," says the ruling party's manifesto under the heading, "Panchayati Raj system".

The manifesto, a rehash of the previous one, was unveiled by chief minister and AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta at the party headquarters here today.

However, Mahanta did not utter a word on the manifesto and left immediately after releasing it. Party leaders said he and some BJP leaders would attend a media briefing at the same venue tomorrow. Though panchayat elections were due in December 1996 -- six months after Mahanta took over as chief minister for the second term -- his government used up all possible excuses to postpone the polls.

With the Opposition, especially the Congress, using the issue as a stick to beat the AGP-led government with, elections were finally announced in December last year.

The Gauhati High Court intervened after the Mising and Rabha-Hasong autonomous councils said that conducting the elections without proper demarcation of the areas under their jurisdiction could lead to administrative problems.

As the nationwide population census began soon after, the State Election Commission put off the panchayat elections "for an indefinite period".

All panchayat organisations elected during the previous Congress regime were dissolved by the Mahanta government in 1997.

The AGP's "sudden" desire to decentralise power is obviously an electoral exigency, for it would not like to be seen as a party that espouses the cause of greater autonomy for the states but is loath to decentralising power in its domain. The AGP's manifesto insists that its demand for the right to "self-determination" does not imply secessionist tendencies.

This clarification was necessary as the banned Ulfa caused many faces in the party to turn red in embarrassment in 1996. The militant outfit said the AGP included the issue of "self-determination" in its manifesto after consulting it.

The new AGP manifesto refers to the autonomy issue just the way the previous one did. "India is a union of states, and hence the central administration should rest on a federal base. This means vesting more powers on the states," it says. Like the 1996 manifesto, the new one makes no mention of the contentious Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act.

On the issue of illegal infiltration, the AGP's statements are guarded. Putting the ball in the Centre's court, it says, "The AGP will pressure the Centre into taking immediate steps to resolve the issue without harassing any genuine Indian citizen."

Claiming to have succeeded in restoring peace and ushering in a "green revolution", the party blames the Congress for all the problems plaguing the state.

GUWAHATI, April 25: The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has attacked the members of the ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in two separate places of the State killing two active members of the party last night. In the incidents one more person was killed and another was injured.

Police said that a group of suspected ULFA militants descended the Diwanpara residence of AGP's Kakoijan local committee secretary Dharmakanta Roy in Abhayapur of Bongaigaon district at around 9.30 p.m. yesterday. The militants first called Mr Roy out of the house for "some discussion." They took him to a spot around just 50 feet away from his house. Mr Roy and the militants were engaged in verbal duel for a while near a temple. Suddenly the militants started firing on Mr Roy, killing him on the spot.

In the other incident, suspected ULFA militants arrived in the Chakihali Bazar under Manikpur police station of the same district at around 10.45 p.m. in search of Mr Bidyut Nath, an AGP worker. At that time, Mr Nath along with two of his friends, was playing carrom. After identifying Mr Nath, the militants fired upon him from their AK-47 rifle and killed him on the spot.

In the firing, one of his friends, Pradip Baishya also died while Mr Nath's other friend, Chittaranjan Choudhury received bullet injury.

GUWAHATI, April 25: The Grahak Suraksha Sanstha (GSS) in a press release issue here today called upon parties and candidates contesting the ensuing elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly to unequivocally state their positions and declare their policies with regard to the various burning problems of the common people. It has further urged the voters to unsparingly question and cross-examine the candidates during the election campaign.

GUWAHATI, April 25: Though there is a ban on wall painting on the walls of the Government offices, almost all the political parties are making free use of the walls of the State and Central Government offices in utter violation of the norms. As per the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission, no political party or candidate can put up hoardings, cut outs, wall paintings etc. on highways, walls of the Government buildings and traffic inter-section crossings, without prior permission. As per the Commission's instruction, such unauthorised cut outs, hoardings, wall paintings etc. should be demolished or removed at the cost of the party or individual concerned. However, it is noticed that the political parties and individuals are making free use of the Government office walls for wall painting and postering all over Guwahati city, thereby violating the code of conduct and the instructions issued by the Commission.

Meanwhile, official sources said that steps are being taken to remove the wall writings in the Government buildings and some walls have been whitewashed. Sources said that they have to first issue notice to the concerned political party or individual to wipe out the unauthorised wall writings within 24 hours. But very rarely the parties and individuals concerned wipe out the same within the stipulated period. Sources said that on most occasions, the authorities have to remove or demolish the unauthorised cut outs, hoardings, wall paintings etc. and "later we send the bill of the expenditure incurred in this regard to the concerned political parties and organisations". Sources said that the unauthorised wall paintings, cut outs etc. are being removed in a phased manner as the Government does not have adequate manpower to complete the job in a day or two. Sources revealed that surveys are being carried out to identify the unauthorised cut outs, wall paintings etc. and "sometimes we act on the complaints received from the public".

Editorial April 26 With the countdown for the general elections to four States and one Union Territory starting and the schedule for the filing of nomination papers coming to a close, the voters are bewildered at the peculiar phenomenon of the absence of basic issues before them. Never before such general elections were held without clear-cut issues. Major players seeking votes for their candidates have failed to project issues of importance before the people. This factor is responsible for the entry of record number of candidates everywhere. Of course, the only issue seems to be the implications of the incumbency factor. "Corruption" is no longer an issue as most of the political parties have chosen to ignore it. With corruption becoming a major bane of our polity and politico-economic situation, the intentional skirting of the issue reflects the psyche dominating our political thinking. Our political parties and groups are handicapped by the double standard maintained on the problem of corruption. The Congress (I) stalled the Parliament on the Tehelka question for pressing its demand for the filing of FIR against persons shown on the video tapes and thus blocked discussion of important budget demands while allowing passage of the Railway Budget and supplementary demands for grants by voice votes. The ruling BJP and the NDA also failed to demonstrate their real concern for fighting corruption. The same is true of the other parties -- and more particularly the CPI(M) and the CPI as their concern for corruption is not even skin-deep as they also like the Congress(I) have forged an alliance with Corruption Incarnate J. Jayalalitha as subsidiary allies in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and supporting the corruption-convicted Laloo Prasad Yadav. Thus we are in a queer situation.

GUWAHATI, April 24: Internal squabbles in Congress took a turn for the worse with a section of disgruntled Congress workers from West Guwahati area led by one Prasanta Malla Bujarbaruah resorted vendalism at the party headquarter, Rajiv Bhawan, here today. About 200 angry Congressmen who bayed for blood of certain senior APCC leaders for "irregularities" in selection of party nominees, swooped down on the APCC headquarter forcing several senior Congressmen present there to run for safety. The mob went on rampage destroying property in the APCC headquarter besides burning down publicity materials sent by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for use in the electioneering.

GUWAHATI, April 23: Dissension in State Congress over selection of party nominees today took a turn for the worse when several stalwarts of the party filed nominations to contest polls as Independent candidates. However, sources in the APCC tried to play it down by saying that the party leadership would be able to persuade the rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations in the greater interest of the party. Noted among those Congressmen who have filed nomination as Independent candidates were Rashidul Haque (Rupahi), Mukut Sharma (Nagaon), Uma Phukon (Barhampur), Samsul Haque (Sarbhog), Nripen Das (Mangaldoi), Tara Pada Das (Sarukhetri), Mustafa Sahidul Islam (Dhing).

Meanwhile, more than one Congress candidates filed nominations at Chaygaon and Hajo and Boko constituencies. Congressmen Rana Goswami and Imran Hussain filed nominations to contest from Chaygaon while Barkatullah and Haren Das filed nominations to contest from Hajo. In Boko both Uttam Das and Gopi Das filed as party candidates. However, sources in the APCC informed that the Congress high command had approved names of Rana Goswami, Barkatullah and Gopi Das as party nominees from Chaygaon, Hajo and Boko constituencies respectively. Sources, further informed that the AICC high command had not approved Smt Niva Konwar as Congress nominee from Sivasagar constituency although she had already filed nominations as Congress candidate. It was learnt that the high command has given ticket to Pranab Gogoi to contest polls as Congress candidate from Sivasagar constituency.

GUWAHATI, April 23: The police and security forces are gearing up to thwart any move by the insurgent outfits and unscrupulous elements to create disturbance during the poll process, said the Director General of Assam Police, Sri H K Deka. In an interview with The Assam Tribune, the DGP said that regular meetings are being held between the police and the security forces to ensure a violence-free atmosphere during the elections. He said that the Army would not be used on poll duty but the Army men would continue the counter-insurgency operations, which, in turn, would help in preventing any attempt by the ultras to create disturbance during the polls.

Sri Deka revealed that according to information available with the police, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was planning to create trouble during the poll process. The militants may go for sabotage activities and are planning to target candidates and leaders of political parties, particularly those of the ruling party, he added. He said that as per reports available, a few groups of ULFA men have already sneaked into the State from their bases in Bhutan for the purpose and the police and the security forces are gearing up to foil the designs of the militants. He said that all out efforts were being made to seal the Assam-Bhutan border to prevent the militants from sneaking into Assam. However, he admitted that guarding every inch of the border is not feasible and efforts are on to improve security dominance along the routes known to be used by the ultras as well as checks in the shelter points of the militants. Similarly, the militants may try to sneak into the upper Assam districts from their bases in the neighbouring states of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh and steps have been taken to check that also, he added.

The DGP said that the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) may also try to resort to violence and intimidation of voters during the polls but "we are prepared to deal with that also". He said that efforts were also being made by unscrupulous persons to create communal disharmony and the security forces are keeping a close watch to prevent any such attempt. Replying to a question on whether the police would gear up the security of the vulnerable persons, Sri Deka revealed that the process of reviewing the security and threat perception of the candidates and political leaders and necessary steps would be taken accordingly. When asked whether the police would impose restriction on the night movement of the vlunerable persons during the poll process, he said, "instead of imposing restrictions, we would like to create a situation where everyone is free to move around freely. However, I would like to advise the political leaders that they should inform the police before moving into the sensitive areas so that adequate security cover can be given to them". He also said that the sensitive and very sensitive polling stations have been identified and special security arrangements would be made in those stations.

On the availability of security forces to ensure a violence-free election, Sri Deka said that the Government of India has provided additional security forces and efforts would be made to make optimum utilisation of the available forces. Replying to a question on the reports in Bhutan's state-run weekly Kuensel, which said that Bhutan Army personnel were posted along the border, Sri Deka said, "we would not like to comment on the action taken against the militants by a foreign country. However, if the Government of Bhutan really increase security presence along the border, it would help us in effectively preventing the ultras from sneaking into Assam". The DGP asserted that the counter-insurgency operations have not become lax and the success rate of the operations is comparable with last year. He revealed that more than 60 illegal weapons including automatic weapons have been recovered within this year.

NEW DELHI, April 21: Former Chief Minister, Syeda Anwara Taimur, Hemaprabha Saikia, wife of the late Hiteshwar Saikia and several former ministers of Assam figure in the list of 122-Congress candidates for state Assembly polls released by the AICC today, reports PTI. Releasing the list at the AICC headquarters here, party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters the party would be contesting all the 126 Assembly seats in the state "on its own" and that the remaining five names would be declared tomorrow. The last date for filing nomination in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Pondicherry is April 23.

Former MPs Bhubaneshwar Kalita and Nripen Goswami, former Ministers Gautam Roy, Dinesh Prasad Goala, Misbahul Islam Laksar, Silvius Condapan, Hiryanya Bora and Devanta Konwar and Jiban Tara Ghatowar, wife of CPP secretary Pawan Singh Ghatowar are the other prominent persons who were cleared for the Assembly polls. The party has fielded a total of 16 women candidates in the State giving 15 per cent representation to them, Reddy said. Asked about prospects of the party, Reddy expressing confidence said: "we are all set to sweep power in Assam".

JORHAT, April 21: The Jorhat district administration is expecting eight more companies of paramilitary forces for smooth conduct of the May 10 Assembly election even as ten companies have already arrived, in keeping with its request for a total of 18 additional companies, disclosed the Deputy Commissioner Sri Ravi Shankar Prasad at a joint press meet held at the Circuit House here on Wednesday evening, where the Superintendent of Police Sri Pradip Chandra Saloi was also present.

In view of the poll, the VDPs have been revamped throughout the district while patrolling by police and paramilitary forces have been intensified along roads, bridges and vital installations, besides providing security cover to the candidates. In the interest of official convenience, the police has divided the district into nine zones, with one police station representing one zone, Sri Saloi said. The additional district magistrate too has, vide an official notification under Section 144 of the IPC, ordered owners of fierarms in the district not to carry their weapons in public in the interest of holding free and fair poll. The order which comes into effect immediately, will continue till further orders, an official press note said on April 18.

A total of 5,36,829 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the 670 polling centres of the five Assembly constituencies of Jorhat subdivision. The Jorhat subdivision has been divided into five zones, 17 sectors and 49 sub-sectors, according to Sri Prasad. Additionally, with one presiding officer and three polling officers per booth, around 3,500 polling personnel, including reserves, will be deployed along with various modes of transportation facilities in conformity with the place and terrain.